When the electronic age began to pick up momentum in the public, we were amused by it. New gadgets and wizardry were mostly expensive toys or luxuries. I remember getting a private line telephone, a luxury that freed us from the intrusive party line. When I went to Expo 67, Bell demonstrated video phones where we could see the person we were talking to and we didn’t like it!
I let technology get way ahead of me with this mindset, which wasn’t all that bothersome. I lived happily in the dark ages for a long period of time. I was able to function. I had my share of crappy cell phones with limited range, far too small screens and buttons, and never used them much. They were an interesting thing to have, but not a necessity.
Until…
I was going to visit my brother. I haven’t traveled in decades. The trip required 3 connecting flights. As is the case, quite frequently, I now understand, my first connecting flight was delayed. The airport was under construction, so I was not surprised that the one pay phone I found was not working. No worries. Lots of time left. I can call him when I get to Denver if I am going to be late.
I am going to be late. 12 hours late!
Panic!
There are rows and rows and rows! of phones at the Denver airport. And not one of them work. I know. I tried them all.
So I see a big guy sporting an even bigger cowboy hat and a badge that said Information.
“Am I doing something wrong?” I ask him about the phones.
“Nope. None of them work. Haven’t worked in months. Is your phone dead?”
“I don’t have one.”
He shrugs and walks past me.
Around me everyone has their face illuminated by blue phone light. I don’t even know how to use one.
I walk over to a man with his nose to the screen. “Kind sir. I am in a fix. I will pay you $20 to make a phone call for me.”
He looks at me, blinks in disbelief. He hands me his phone “Go ahead” he says “You don’t have to pay me.”
I explain it is a long distance call. He says that doesn’t matter. I hand the phone back to him.
“Can you dial it for me? – I don’t know how.”
He gives me a silly grin as if I am joking, but dials the number. “Just talk into the screen” he is half serious. He stands there gawking at me, suspecting some kind of prank. As fortunes have it, the line is busy. “Can you try another number?”
Mission accomplished, I get to leave a message. He waits as I collect my suitcase, give him a heartfelt thank you, and head for the nearest eatery. He looks around, waiting for some TV host and camera crew to show up, tell him it was all just a gag and can we use it on our show?
My unfortunate brother had to page a reply to me at the airport and pick me up at midnight, instead of noon. And oh yeah, he waited quite a while at the airport for me, didn’t get my message until he went back home.
“Get this” he shows me the blue screen when I arrive.
I comply.
Now I’m hooked on the thing. How did I ever manage without one?!